Unsurprisingly taken by Hawthorn at pick 64 due to ties with their Next Generation Academy, the “Beast from the East” Cody Anderson projects as a big-bodied, powerful contested midfielder in a similar mould as Jai Newcombe.
Junior Career
Like so many of his fellow draft prospects, Cody Anderson’s junior sporting career could be viewed as somewhat of a balancing act, as football commitments for local team Healesville were accompanied by additional devotions to both cricket and basketball. However after becoming the youngest debutant for Healesville’s senior men’s team at the age of 15, it soon became clear to Anderson that football was where his future lay.
“The Beast” then shifted his focus to the NAB Talent League and the Eastern Ranges, where he continued on the theme of getting a head-start on his competition by playing seven games and averaging 16 touches in what was his bottom-age year in 2022; a feat considered a “massive effort” for the then 16 year-old. Another impressive year followed in 2023 for Anderson, who upped both his disposal average and games played to 18.8 and 13 rotating between the midfield and forward line in a Ranges team boasting future AFL stars like Nick Watson and Caleb Windsor.
It was his performance throughout this season that truly stamped Anderson’s credentials as an AFL prospect, as a full-time move to the midfield allowed him to fully demonstrate his explosiveness, tackling intensity and competitive nature. Averaging a strong 22.5 disposals, 5.7 tackles and almost a goal per game, Anderson’s inspirational performance against the stacked Sandringham Dragons where he amassed 28 disposals and two goals had him firmly projected to go within the first 25 picks of the upcoming draft. Draft experts weren’t the only ones taking notice of his play, as Zane Littlejohn and the rest of the coaching staff at Box Hill offered Anderson an opportunity to get a taste of VFL football; a chance he grabbed with both hands by amassing 16 disposals and kicking two goals against GWS.
However before he could continue building upon his play for Eastern Ranges and Box Hill, an ankle injury sustained early in his representative debut for Vic Metro forced the midfielder to take a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Though frustrating and ultimately damaging to his draft stock, this injury proved a blessing in disguise for Anderson, as through ties to the Hawks’ Next Generation Academy (NGA) due to his Indigenous background as a Wemba Wemba and Taungurung man, he was able to complete his recovery at Waverley Park whilst developing relationships with players that would eventually become his teammates.
Ultimately, Anderson was nabbed by the Hawks using their number 64 selection, which came as no surprise due to the well-publicised NGA ties between the two parties. Though history suggests that players taken this late in the draft are far from guaranteed future stars, this selection looms as an absolute steal given Anderson was ranked at #20 in May’s edition of the ESPN Draft Power Rankings, and likely would have landed there ankle injury non withstanding.
What He Brings To The Club
Though an already deep midfield led by young stars Jai Newcombe, Will Day and James Worpel may mean Anderson begins his AFL career stationed at half-forward rather than his preferred on-ball position, the strongly built “Beast from the East” is sure to use his impressive attributes to impact as soon as he is provided the opportunity.
Possessing a strong work rate and an unquenchable thirst to apply pressure that is made far easier by strength that defies his age, Anderson overall inside game has drawn comparisons to contested beasts like Jack Viney, Dion Prestia and Jai Newcombe; however his impressive closing speed and obvious footy IQ brings to his game a significant point of difference.
Despite question marks regarding his decision-making and outside game being raised pre-draft, a strong foundation of skill is obvious, and is something sure to be improved under the genius coaching of Sam Mitchell’s in a similar way to Jai Newcombe or James Worpel who have both dealt with similar hurdles throughout their respective careers.
Alongside his competitive and physical attributes, Anderson’s selfless attitude and willingness to place the needs of his team first is guaranteed to fit perfectly inside a culture at Hawthorn that prioritises the club over the individual.
Author’s Note: some of the opinions in this article reflect a personal bias due to ties between the author and player.
